Stites was part of the deal that sent Ian Kennedy to the Padres in 2013, but an appendectomy delayed his debut with his new organization until 2014. After quick stops at Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno, Stites earned the call to the desert in June. He struggled initially with his control, and hard contact was a problem when he missed his spots through his three-plus months in the big leagues, but Stites showed a live arm (95.8 mph average fastball) with a plus four-seamer and above-average slider. Stites stands at 5-foot-11 and is not physically imposing, but in terms of raw ability, he has the attributes of a future closer. Whether he reaches that level will require more consistency with his command, but he should be a regular contributor out of the Diamondbacks' bullpen again in 2015, even if he gets bumped back to Reno for Opening Day.

2014

It's clear from the comments of GM Kevin Towers that the Diamondbacks are high on Stites, who is expected to compete in big league camp during spring training with a chance to become a late-inning option. Stites reaches 98 mph with his fastball and has a power breaking ball, which helped him handle both lefties and righties in the minors. He posted a 51:8 K:BB and 2.08 ERA over 52 innings as the closer for Double-A San Antonio in the Padres' organization in 2013 before an appendectomy ended his season. Traded to Arizona at the non-waiver deadline in July, Stites has the stuff to reach the big leagues this season.